Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Knitting and Reading

My two knitting projects this week are both hats - one is a simple cuffed hat with a 2 x 2 rib, then stockinette stitch hat - knit on size 8 needles with a beautiful merino yarn.  I cast on 80 stitches.

The other project is another Modern Baby Bonnet from Vintage Knits for Modern Babies - my favorite baby cap pattern.  The yarn I am using is Baby Alpaca from Lion Brand. Oh - it is so soft - just a joy to work with. 

I have been reading and studying about caring for my teeth.  Over the past several years I have suffered from many tooth aches and subsequent tooth pullings and fillings, etc...   Not sure if it has something to do with seven pregnancies and 14 plus years of breastfeeding, but it may.   As we can't afford extensive dental care, I have just taken it one day at a time with lots of praying.  But, it is now time for me to make some dietary changes I should have made long ago.  I have eliminated all refined sugars (white, brown,etc.) and white flours, white rice, pasta, etc..  from my diet.   I am using much I have learned from Heather's course, The 30 Day Vegan as well as reading as much as I can.  Nourishing Traditions is one source that I am using extensively.  I don't consume meat products to the extent that is recommended in Nourishing Traditions, but it is full of so many great recipes and information.  This is going to mean often cooking and baking separate things for myself because the rest of my family is not ready to give up their desserts - although, I will work towards gradually decreasing the refined ingredients in their baked goods as well.

Looking forward to all of the sharing today at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Warm wishes,
Tonya

19 comments:

  1. Nourishing Traditions is a book that I definitely want to add to my library. I don't really eat any meat at all, eggs on occasion and baking is about all I do. Not because I don't like meat, but because I don't feel good when I eat it. I have been trying to move more towards vegan eating since last year, I took Heather's course last year and then this past month as well. I do feel better overall when I eat that way. As far as teeth care goes, I have heard a lot about oil pulling, but haven't tried it. Would love to hear what you decide on trying!

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  2. I look forward to hearing how you feel after making some changes to your diet, Tonya. I too am in a similar place - in my mid 20s I lived through a very stressful few years which damaged my health a lot, and then the past 4 years of breast feeding and little sleep have left me feeling very depleted, worn out. I couldn't help but notice the past two winters when our whole family got the flu, everyone else recovered fairly quickly while I stayed very sick for weeks.

    So I just decided that I need to take better care of myself, so I can have the energy to properly care for my family. I am trying to cut out white flour and cut down on sugar, eat more vegetables, get more rest. I also bought a variety of vitamin supplements, and I'm going to try harder to make time for fun in my life.

    We mothers can easily run ourselves in to the ground if we are not careful. Good for you for deciding to take better care of yourself. :)

    I have never read Nourishing Traditions, although of course I've heard of it. Maybe it's time to pick it up.

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  3. So sorry to hear about your teeth! It has been my experience that the strength of tooth enamel has some genetic factors. In our case, we eat a ton of sugar but don't seem to have any tooth issues. Looking forward to reading about how your family fares with the vegan cooking. I have tried vegan and didn't have a problem not eating meat but giving up milk, cheese, butter and eggs proved to be so difficult it was unsustainable for us. Although if you have managed to give up sugar, I am sure you can do anything!

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  4. Tonya, I've been reading your blog for awhile now and enjoy it immensely. For me its a trip down memory lane to when my girls were small and we lived a lot as your family does. I wanted to comment on the problem you are having with your teeth. Some people are just born with poor quality teeth, its nothing they have done to cause the problems. Both our daughters have a lot of problems with their teeth (both are adopted) and its just the way it is.

    That being said might want to watch out for any foods with acids. Fruits & vegetables, drinks that are citrus based, anything that has a lot of acid as it's very hard on your tooth enamel. If you do eat these food try to brush your teeth right after, or at the very least drink plain water to rinse the acid off. This information came from our dentist who told me the acid in many foods & drinks ( sodas, especially cola's) can cause the enamel to wear and set you up for more problems. My teeth are very sensitive but I am having very few problems since being careful of acids. Also, that old standby oil of clove does a wonderful job on a tooth ache until you can get it fixed. Marsha

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  5. I have to get that book out of the library again. It's a popular one or so it seems - it's always unavailable when I try to check it out. I enjoyed Heather's course too although I wish she ended it with a few bonus recipes to set us on our way. Sorry about your teeth. I've had a lot of dental problems the past 2 years too. (but then I had large fillings from childhood that finally went kaputz and created much of recent tooth woes) My daughter says that I'm a queen now with all the crowns in my mouth! :)

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  6. My teeth have been giving me trouble as well. Mostly due to old fillings cracking my teeth. We do have dental care and it's still ridiculously expensive to fix the problems. I will have to check out Nourishing Traditions. Sounds like a good book.

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  7. Tonya,

    We have given up sugar for about 4 years and it has been the best thing we have ever done as a family. We are not sick very often ....and we feel great. We do see a dentist every 6 months but only for a good cleaning. I have heard the best thing you can do for your teeth is to floss everyday?

    I am excited to see your finished knitting....you always inspire me.

    Blessings,

    Renee

    A Knitters Notebook

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  8. Love your knitting projects. Tooth issues can be very distressing...prayers for you to know what to do about them. A few weeks back I was having some pain in one tooth and I feared the dentist would say "root canal." I was having surgery soon and didn't want to deal with a dental issue too, so I prayed about it and one day I was in the dollar store and my attention was drawn to a certain kind of "sensative" toothpaste. I bought some and have been using it and no more pain issues with that tooth. I felt God's guidance even for a relatively minor issue and know He can help you too. Blessings for a peaceful week and weekend.

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  9. Popping in to say hi Tonya...I hope you are well apart from your dental worries. I have them too. Infact just went to the dentist today. I think sometimes we just forget to care for ourselves because we are so busy giving out so much lovin' to our kiddies.

    Keep well and good luck on your change of eating plan
    lots of love
    Suzanne
    X

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  10. I have had the book "Nourishing Tradistions" for a couple of years now. It has some really helpful advice, (although I don't follow it like I should.) I've been on a weight loss journey for what seems like forever and I also am trying to eat healthy. I wish you good luck as you try to find better ways of eating. It can be difficult with a family to feed when they don't want to eat the same way. I speak from experience!

    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  11. I've been reading about Weston A. Price's writing on tooth decay. Very interesting! Praying for you, Tonya!

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  12. I love Nourishing Traditions, it has been a great resource.

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  13. Good luck - Dental Problems are just no fun at all...I hope you find a natural solution and can share it with us!

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  14. Love hat making and yours are beautiful :) So sorry about your teeth! Maybe low sugar will help-can't hurt.

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  15. Great book except I cannot eat liver lol. Oil pulling has helped me out with my bad teeth as has CLO cod liver oil. The body has an amazing way of healing itself. Hope to see the hats when they are completed

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  16. sounds like you are on to a healthier lifestyle! Guess I need to check out nourishing traditions!!!!!

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  17. Tooth aches are the worst. My Husband has gone plant based diet - I'm not convinced. I'll have to read Nourishing Traditions.
    I'm glad in your busyness you have time to knit.:)

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  18. Those books sound great. We have just begun a 21 day food cleanse. giving up wheat is seeming to be the hardest for me at the moment.

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  19. Another Nourishing Traditions fan here too, despite the fact we are vegetarian. Those 2 paths often seem contradictory, but we've tried to take the good from each. I especially like the grain soaking and fermenting recipes in Nourishing Traditions. Be well. :)

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